Districts of Innovation, as created by House Bill 1842, represents the next step in public school flexibility. The new law encourages districts and charters to collaborate across multiple campuses and with institutions of higher education pursuant to a locally developed plan.

REINVENTING PUBLIC EDUCATION
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Latest News

Autonomy & Innovation Expansion for Public School Districts

The 84th Texas Legislature significantly expanded public school autonomy and innovation, and districts are taking advantage of the opportunity to be innovative. Districts of Innovation, as created by House Bill 1842, represents the next step in public school flexibility. The new law clears the way for districts to request the same exemptions from state law as open-enrollment charter schools and encourages districts and charters to collaborate across multiple campuses and with institutions of higher education pursuant to a locally developed plan.

Raising Blended Learners Grant Winners

Five winning school districts will receive up to $500,000 in grant funding over three years and comprehensive implementation support to serve as proof points for the effective implementation of blended learning.

Birdville ISD is located in Tarrant County, northeast of Fort Worth with a population of approximately 25,000 students. To improve literacy and college readiness, Birdville ISD will implement a two-part approach at all four of their high schools. At the district’s three traditional high schools, Birdville ISD will pilot station rotation and flipped classroom models in order to personalize instruction and improve performance. In their second project, Birdville ISD will redesign the district’s alternative high school into a school of choice for all students by using a flex model, which will allow learners to speed up or slow down their credit accumulation based on their individual needs.

Cisco ISD is a rural school district in West Texas enrolling 900 students from their community of fewer than 4,000 people. For many years Cisco ISD has been a leader in Region 14 for state accountability scores, consistently surpassing statewide STAAR standards. Despite their current successes, the number of Cisco ISD students excelling by reaching advanced achievement metrics has remained stagnant. To elevate all students to their own individual higher levels of academic achievement, Cisco ISD plans to use a station rotation blended learning model to fill gaps and push students to succeed, as measured by improved performance in math and science at their elementary and middle schools, scaling to all four district schools over three years.

KIPP Houston is a public charter network in Houston and enrolls 12,500 students. To change students’ outcomes and improve college graduation rates, KIPP Houston will pilot two distinct projects focusing on the math pathway. In their first project, KIPP Houston will pilot an in-class flipped classroom, along with differentiated remediation and enrichment based on students’ achievement and goals, to help more students successfully complete Algebra I in the 8th grade and continue along the advanced math sequence throughout high school. In their second project, KIPP Houston will launch a summer Algebra Boot Camp, using a flex model to allow students to learn at their own pace so they will be better prepared for Algebra I coursework when they begin the 8th grade.

Pasadena ISD, southeast of Houston, is one of the 15 largest school districts in Texas enrolling more than 55,000 students. To improve college enrollment and completion, as well as declining STAAR reading scores, Pasadena ISD will use a flex model to increase STAAR reading scores in grades 5-12; increase participants’ scores on targeted postsecondary readiness indicators; and ultimately increase the number of Pasadena ISD graduates who complete college within six years of high school graduation. Pasadena’s model includes personalized learning time, project-based learning, one-on-one mentoring, and Socratic seminars.

Point Isabel ISD is located at the southernmost tip of Texas and enrolls approximately 2,500 students. Responding to the need to provide flexible school schedules for students who work to help support their families, Point Isabel ISD will pilot a flex model at their high school which will allow personalized learning experiences for all students to improve academic discipline ratings, internship participation, higher education enrollment, and reduce failure rates. Point Isabel ISD will also use station rotation and flipped classroom models in their elementary and middle schools, focusing on creating blended opportunities for all students, particularly English Language Learners and Special Education students.

Many public education leaders are innovating and reinventing their schools to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Community and business leaders are working to develop a strong future for Texas through our public schools. And public policy issues are impacting the lives of students across the state. These are some of those stories.